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Very Good

#281 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 16% in state

Somerville High

High School · Somerville

81 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143

Enrollment

1,373

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

7.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Somerville

#3 of 10

public schools

Massachusetts high schools

#59 of 366

In district

#3 of 10

Somerville

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Somerville High

Somerville High serves 1,373 students in grades 9-12 with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1, supported by 133 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school ranks #503 out of 1,796 Massachusetts high schools, placing it in the 72nd percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10. Academically, the school shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 58% of students score proficient or above, while mathematics presents opportunities for growth with 42% achieving proficiency.

These results reflect a school working to meet the educational needs of its diverse student body across all grade levels. The school draws from an educated and economically stable community, where 74% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $118,440. With a poverty rate of just 8.6% and median home values around $859,000, the surrounding neighborhood demonstrates strong community investment in education.

Located at 81 Highland Avenue, Somerville High sits in the heart of this vibrant large suburban community in Middlesex County, serving families in an area known for its proximity to Boston and commitment to academic achievement.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-1.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Math vs. State Avg-3.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation22.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,320

Somerville High — Students at Somerville High score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.6%
School
State
52.0%
ELA Proficiency 56.2%
School
State
59.6%

Based on 22 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
51%
ELA
57.5%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
58%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
58%
2023
Math
40%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
39%
ELA
55%
2025
Math
41%
ELA
47%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.3/10.

How Somerville High Compares

See how Somerville High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
84th percentile in MA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Location

81 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Somerville High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cambridge Rindge and Latin (rated 9.0/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Cambridge), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Full Circle High School (rated 6.0/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Somerville, see our Somerville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Next Wave Junior High Somerville 0.0 mi
Full Circle High School Somerville 0.0 mi 6.0
Winter Hill Community Somerville 0.4 mi 5.0
Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park Somerville 0.5 mi 6.7
E Somerville Community Somerville 0.5 mi 4.6
Capuano Early Childhood Center Somerville 0.5 mi 7.6
Arthur D Healey Somerville 0.7 mi 6.1
ST THERESA SCHOOL Somerville 0.6 mi 6.3
King Open Cambridge 1.0 mi 7.1
Cambridge Street Upper School Cambridge 1.0 mi 7.9
Missituk Elementary School Medford 1.1 mi 7.7
Cambridgeport Cambridge 1.2 mi 9.1
John M Tobin Cambridge 1.1 mi 9.2
John F Kennedy Somerville 1.0 mi 8.9
Kennedy-Longfellow Cambridge 1.3 mi 6.5
Vassal Lane Upper School Cambridge 1.3 mi 5.4
Curtis-Tufts Medford 1.3 mi
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Cambridge 1.3 mi 5.4
Fletcher/Maynard Academy Cambridge 1.4 mi 5.4
Cambridge Rindge and Latin Cambridge 1.2 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02143 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$126,102

Median Home Value

$930,200

Median Rent

$2,424/mo

Population

25,161

College Educated

74.5%

Homeownership

31.2%

Avg Commute

29.1 min

Poverty Rate

8.4%

Median Age

32.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Somerville High has a median household income of $126,102. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $930,200, with a median rent of $2,424/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Acton-Boxborough Regional High Acton, MA 7.9
Mansfield High Mansfield, MA 7.9
Natick High Natick, MA 7.9
Sturgis Charter Public School Hyannis, MA 7.9
Hingham High Hingham, MA 8.0
Northampton High Northampton, MA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Somerville High

What grades does Somerville High serve?

Somerville High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Somerville High?

Somerville High has an enrollment of approximately 1,373 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Somerville High?

The student-teacher ratio at Somerville High is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Somerville High rank in MA?

Somerville High is ranked #281 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Somerville High's MySchoolScout rating?

Somerville High has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Somerville High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Somerville High has 43.6% math proficiency and 56.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Somerville High a charter school?

No, Somerville High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Somerville High a Title I school?

No, Somerville High is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
84 Very Walkable
Transit Score
81 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
79 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,923/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Somerville). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,373
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
133
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Somerville
District Enrollment
4,927
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$29,645
District Rank
#3 of 10

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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